I pretty much ignore these reality show couples because I get enough trashy gossip from the news without being subjected to the fattening goodness that is American reality television. It also seems like the celebrities that are created by these shows are somehow less worthy than your average actor, actress, or model, but maybe Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag have ruined it for all aspiring reality stars.

As only a casual observer of the Dancing With the Stars relationship between Mario Lopez and Karina Smirnoff, it seemed real enough to me. After all, there were makeout bikini pictures and everything, and if that doesn’t spell relationship I don’t know what does. Lopez hooked up with his professional dance partner Smirnoff on the show last year and the two were seen everywhere together. There was even news this spring that they were moving in together, but all Lopez would admit was that “they were great friends” and had “a very special relationship.”

Lopez hasn’t changed his story, and instead of admitting that they’re no longer together, he’s insisting they were just friends the entire time and never lived together. Maybe this is true and a mountain was just made out of a publicity molehill:

“We [Karina and I] were always friends,” he told Life & Style at EA’s Need for Speed ProStreet video game launch party on November 14. “We were never dating. I don’t know where that rumor started.” Photos tell a different story. And weren’t they living together? “No, no, I live… that’s not the case,” he insisted. “I haven’t seen her. I’ve been out of town.”

[From Life & Style print edition, December 3, 2007]

These two hit every red carpet together and were often photographed holding hands and kissing, and Lopez says he doesn’t know how that rumor started. This is the guy who was married for two whole weeks, so it’s not like he’s has a high level of maturity. He’s also “just friends” with Eva Longoria, and has been the subject of gay rumors. It sounds to me like he’s just an asshole.

Lopez and Smirnoff are shown on 10/6/07 at his birthday party, so they must have broken up recently. They are also seen out at a 50 Cent show on 9/8/07, and holding hands in Paris on 7/7/07, which must have been for Eva Longoria’s wedding. Look at how she’s looking at him! I want to smack that guy across the face. You can say you’re no longer with someone, but don’t deny that you ever had a relationship, that’s cold!

Thanks to PRPhotos and Splash News for those pictures.